How to Get Into University Prep: What You Need To Know About UPrep Admissions

Everything Seattle families need to know about applying to this independent school, Grades 6–12.

Quick Answer for Busy Parents

University Prep (UPrep) is a coeducational, independent day school in Seattle’s Wedgwood neighborhood, serving Grades 6–12. Founded in 1976, UPrep enrolls approximately 600–635 students, with 51% identifying as students of color. UPrep uses a test-flexible admissions process evaluating applicants holistically alongside parent meetings, in-person student assessments, and international applicant interviews. The main application deadline is January 14. The school is renowned for its distinctive January Intensives, where students explore a single subject in-depth for three weeks.

Why Do Families Choose University Prep?

University Prep was founded in 1976 by a small group of Seattle Public Schools teachers who wanted to create an alternative to public school conditions, building a community that inspires students while maintaining a disciplined academic environment. Guided by its motto, “Lead a Life of Learning,” UPrep consistently ranks among the top private high schools in Washington State for STEM and college preparation.

Families choose UPrep for an academic experience that balances broad choice with immersive learning. With over 100 Upper School electives and a signature Intensives program where students dive deeply into single subjects through hands-on, block-style study, the curriculum encourages intellectual curiosity, independence, and active engagement beyond traditional classroom walls.

Did You Know? Niche has ranked University Prep among the top private high schools in Washington State, including recognition for both college preparation and STEM education.

How Competitive Is Admission to University Prep?

Admission to University Prep is highly selective, driven by strong regional demand and intentionally small class sizes. Gaining entry requires standing out in a crowded applicant pool, as the school carefully limits enrollment to maintain its tight-knit academic community.

While UPrep does not publish an official acceptance rate, every candidate undergoes a comprehensive, multi-layered review. Under its test-flexible policy, the admissions committee meticulously evaluates the student essay, parent statement, academic transcripts, teacher recommendations, an in-person assessment, and an interview to select top-tier applicants.

Top Tips for a Competitive Application

• Schedule your child’s in-person student assessment between November and early February.
• Submit every required Ravenna application form by the January 14 deadline.
• Confirm UPrep’s test-flexible policy and decide which testing option, if any, best represents your child.

Best Practices for Elite Families

• Share information about learning support needs directly in the application if relevant.
• Ask directly about the Intensives program and current elective offerings during a visit.
• Confirm sibling-specific deadlines separately, since they run earlier than the general timeline.

The University Prep Admission Process

Creating an account in Ravenna is the first step in University Prep’s admissions process, where families can complete application forms, track their checklist, and schedule events.

1. Create account.
2. Complete preliminary application.
   • Initial Application Form
   • Application Fee
3. Schedule visits & assessments.
   • Student Assessment
   • Parent/Guardian Meeting
   • Family Campus Tour
4. Complete required essays.
   • Parent/Guardian Statement
   • Student Essays
5. Submit transcripts & school records.
   • Signed Request for Records Form
   • Transcripts/Report Cards
6. Submit standardized test scores (test-flexible).
   • ERB, MAP, STAR, SBAC, HSPT, etc.
   • ISEE or SSAT
   • TOEFL (optional)
7. Delegate evaluations & recommendation forms.
   • Teacher Evaluations (current or recent year teachers)
   • School Administrator Form (principal, division director, registrar)
8. Schedule Zoom interview (international applicants).

The University Prep Application Requirements

Student Essay

Required for all prospective students (Grades 6–12) through Ravenna, the online admission portal. Applicants complete a student questionnaire and written essay detailing their personal interests, academic passions, and interest in joining the UPrep community.

How to write a compelling student essay: Focus on specific moments of personal growth, curiosity, or community engagement rather than listing accomplishments. Academic tutoring and writing support can help middle school applicants refine their ideas and build an authentic voice.

Parent/Guardian Statement

Completed via the Ravenna portal for all grade levels (Grades 6–12). Parents or guardians complete a written statement detailing their child’s unique character, strengths, learning style, and academic history, articulating why UPrep’s culture aligns with their family’s values.

How to write a compelling parent/guardian statement: Share anecdotes that demonstrate your child’s maturity and values rather than repeating their resume. Keep your tone authentic and collaborative. Learn how to write a compelling private school parent statement.

Parent/Guardian Meeting

Families schedule a parent/guardian meeting and campus tour through the Ravenna portal after completing the initial application form and submitting the nonrefundable application fee. This visit gives parents an opportunity to connect directly with the UPrep admissions team and explore campus life.

How to make the most of your parent/guardian meeting: Prepare thoughtful questions focused on UPrep’s unique programs, such as the January Intensives, advisory system, and classroom dynamic. Use the meeting to assess school culture and gauge how well UPrep’s community aligns with your family’s educational priorities.

Student Assessment

Required for all applicants entering Grades 6–12. Prospective students participate in an interactive, faculty-led in-person assessment on campus, where evaluators observe critical thinking, problem-solving, and peer collaboration in a simulated classroom setting.

How to prepare for the student assessments: Help your child view the assessment as an active, engaging classroom experience rather than a formal exam. Emphasize the importance of listening, participating in group activities, and engaging comfortably with peers and faculty evaluators.

Transcript & School Records

Parents print, sign, and submit the Request for Records form to their student’s current school. The current school must submit official transcripts and report cards covering the prior school year as well as all available grades for the current school year directly to UPrep.

How to improve academic performance: If grades need improvement, seek targeted, consistent academic support months before applications are due. Academic coaching helps strengthen key skills early, allowing students to demonstrate sustained growth on their transcripts.

Teacher Evaluations & Administrator Form

Applicants across all grades (Grades 6–12) must delegate two Teacher Evaluation forms via Ravenna to current or recent academic teachers. Families must also delegate one School Administrator form to their student’s principal, division director, counselor, or registrar.

How to get the best teacher evaluation: To secure strong teacher evaluations, your child must build genuine relationships with teachers. Recommenders should highlight your child’s leadership, behavior, and academic impact on the school community.

Standardized Test Scores

UPrep requires testing under a test-flexible policy. Families must submit scores containing math and reading from any standardized test taken within the past two academic years (e.g., ERB, MAP, STAR, SBAC, HSPT). If an applicant does not have recent standardized test results on file, they must take and submit scores from the ISEE or SSAT by the end of January.

How to prepare for testing day: Review previous test results to confirm they cover required math and reading components from the past two years. If your child needs to take the ISEE or SSAT, structured test prep can help them become comfortable with standard question formats and manage their time effectively before the late-January deadline.

Admissions Interview

A formal 1-on-1 interview is not required for domestic applicants; candidate evaluation occurs through the student assessment and parent meeting. However, a mandatory Zoom interview is required exclusively for international applicants residing outside the U.S. to evaluate spoken English proficiency.

How to prepare for the admissions interview: International applicants can benefit from targeted interview prep to practice discussing their academic interests, hobbies, and reasons for applying to UPrep in a relaxed, conversational manner, ensuring they enter the meeting with clear communication and authentic self-expression.

Have Questions About Your Child’s Application?

Cardinal Education’s consultants help families navigate UPrep’s test-flexible policy and build a complete application.

Schedule a Consultation

Student Life at University Prep

Student life at University Prep is an engaging blend of rigorous academics, immersive experiential learning, creative expression, and inclusive athletics.

Beyond the core classroom, students are encouraged to tailor their learning journeys through extensive electives, global programs, visual and performing arts, and competitive sports.

Academics

Academic life at UPrep combines a strong foundational curriculum with high intellectual flexibility, fostering critical thinking and hands-on discovery.

This flexible academic structure prepares students for higher education by emphasizing independent research, collaborative problem-solving, and personalized course paths.

Global and Outdoor Education

UPrep extends learning beyond traditional walls by embedding civic responsibility, real-world connection, and environmental stewardship into the curriculum.

• Global Link Program: Connects students with domestic and international partner communities through cross-cultural travel and hosting experiences in Seattle.
• Intensive Outdoor Courses: Specialized offerings like Snow School (7th–8th) and Outdoor Leadership (9th–12th) provide winter safety, avalanche awareness training, and mountain expeditions.
• Outdoor & Wilderness Program: Grades 6–12 participate in Camp UPrep, overnight camping retreats, and Wilderness First Aid training designed to be accessible and fully inclusive.
• Semester Away Options: Students can pursue immersive extended study off-campus to build self-reliance, leadership, and global perspective.

Through these immersive outdoor and global experiences, students build self-reliance, environmental literacy, and an empathetic perspective on their place in the wider world.

Athletics

The UPrep Pumas athletic program balances inclusive student participation with high-level league, district, and state competition.

The athletic department provides equal support to introductory competitors and seasoned athletes through disciplined coaching and character-focused sportsmanship.

Arts

The arts program provides hands-on creative expression across visual and performance mediums, backed by working-artist faculty and community showcases.

• Comprehensive Disciplines: Course offerings span dance, drama, music, visual arts, and media design/journalism.
• Performance Opportunities: Regular community showcases include bi-annual Visual Arts exhibitions, seasonal play/theatre productions, and the semester-end Choreography Showcase.
• Guest Artist Integrations: Specialized workshops with professional Seattle-area dancers, musicians, and artists enrich classroom technique.
• Creative Focus: Visual arts stress individual creative voice, identity development, and connections to social movements.

Students gain technical proficiency and creative confidence, sharing their original work with both the local school community and broader audiences.

Notable UPrep Alumni

The legacy of University Prep is best reflected in the remarkable achievements of its graduates, who embody the school’s commitment to academic rigor, creative expression, and community leadership. Across diverse fields, including technology, public service, athletics, and the arts, UPrep alumni have left an indelible mark on their communities and the world at large.

1. Justin Kan: Internet entrepreneur and venture capitalist best known as the co-founder of the live-streaming platform Twitch (originally Justin.tv), which revolutionized online media and gaming culture.
2. Sam Cho: Dedicated public servant and entrepreneur who was elected to the Port of Seattle Commission, becoming the youngest and first Asian American commission president in its history.
3. Jackson Ragen: Professional soccer player for Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders FC, demonstrating the elite athletic development and discipline cultivated at UPrep.
4. Emi Meyer: Internationally recognized jazz pianist, singer, and songwriter whose chart-topping multicultural albums reflect the creative confidence and artistic freedom nurtured by the school.
5. Benjamin Mako Hill: Technologist, author, free-software activist, and professor at the University of Washington, embodying the intellectual curiosity and commitment to public knowledge central to the UPrep mission.

These distinguished graduates serve as an inspiration to current students, proving that a strong foundation leads to extraordinary success. Whether matriculating to prestigious universities or launching impactful careers, UPrep alumni continue to leave a lasting mark on the world.

Master UPrep’s Competitive Admissions

Gaining admission to University Prep requires navigating an extraordinarily competitive process where strong applicants outnumber available spots. Given UPrep’s nuanced, test-flexible policy, presenting a cohesive and compelling student narrative is critical to standing out.

Cardinal Education provides strategic admissions consulting, individualized essay guidance, interview preparation, and expert advice to help families maximize their strengths and secure admission.

Schedule a Consultation

Related Articles:
Inside UPrep’s Intensives: Three Weeks, One Subject, No Distractions
Why UPrep’s Test-Flexible Admissions Policy Welcomes Every Kind of Learner

Frequently Asked Questions

UPrep’s Intensives gave our daughter three uninterrupted weeks to dive deep into a subject she loved. Cardinal Education helped us navigate the test-flexible policy and prepare for the parent meeting and assessment.

— UPrep Parent